Suction cleaner



Nov. 26, 1935.` y J. A. scHwAz y 2,022,433

' SUCTION CLEANER Filed Jan. 26, 1955 s 'sheets-sheet 1 Nov. 26, 1935.

' J. A. scHwARz SUGTION CLEANER Filed aan. ze. 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 fI iniiii;w i a MCE' Ml g Nov. 26, 1935.

J. A. SCHWARZ s'UcTIoN CLEANER Filed Jan. 26, v1935 Patent-ed Nav. 26, '1935 y UNITED), s'rA'r-lazsf PATENT OFFICE x) -SUCTION CLEANER Joseph A.

ration of Illinois Schwarz, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Birtman Electric Company,

Chicago, lll., a Acorpo- Application January 26, `1935, Serial No.3,653y

. I 14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in suc-v tion'cleaners and, more especially, portable suction=cleaners. v

My invention relates more particularly to that type of cleaner having 'a vertically adjustable nozzle. It has been found that itis `necessary or desirable to adjust the heightv of the nozzle of a cleaner 'of the type referred toin it to various kinds of surfaces to be cleaned. For example, if working over a rather thick soft car-f pet, it may be desirable to raise the height of the nozzle, because on such a usurface the wheels sink in so that the nozzle will contact too much with the surface of the carpet if it is not raised. If working on a .bare iioor, however,v it is desirable to lower the nozzle.

It chas been customary heretofore to provide means for adjusting the height of the nozzle of a f cleaner but such means have ordinarily been pro- `icealole than a fixed handle. One of the features 'of my invention is to provide means for adjusting the height of the nozzle without stooping or bend- All the adjustment can be made by the tion shown, the nozzle is vertically adjustable and means are provided on the handle for locking the nozzle in any of its adjusted positions. Any means may be providedfor adjusting the nozzle prior to the locking. For example, the adjust-` ment itself may beaccomplished by manipulation of the handle by the foot, or in other ways. without stooping. When the correct position is reached, the-nozzle is locked in its adjusted position, and the locking' means is located 'on the handle within easy reach of the operator while standing erect.' The locking means on the han-l dle is so constructed that it does not affect the swinging of the handle on its pivot. Besides this, the construction is so-made that the swinging of the handle on its pivot does not affect said locking-means. Among the features of my invention,

therefore, it may bestated generally, is the provision of a suction cleaner with a pivoted handle and a vertically adjustable nozzle and-means on 'the'handle for locking the nozzle in its adjusted pannen, saidgieans net-medewer erected by swinging 'ofthe handle on its pivot.

Other features and advantagesof my invention order to adapt Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a bottom view of a portion of Fig. 5; and Fig. l is a top plan'view Iofthe indicator showing the height of the nozzle.

As shown in the drawings, the cleaner comprises in general the usual carriage VIII provided 15 -with two front wheels II, II; the motor I2; the

two back wheels I3, I3; and the nozzle Id in fron-t of the front wheels. I5 indicates the handle provided With a bail I6 pivoted to the c'arriageat f 2d vided on the carriage ofthe cleaner itself, so that l1, Il. l, 20

the operator was required to stoop or bend over Since the nozzle I4 is in front of the front in order to operai-,e the adjusting means, wheels I I, it will be seen that by 'raising or lowercleaners offthe character in question are ordime the back wheels` I3, the carriage will pivot 0n. narily provided with pivoted handles. It has been 012 front Wheels to raise or lower the nome I4 found that a pivoted handle is much more serv- W1th respect t0. the Supporting Surface I8. 25

. To permit raising and lowering of the back wheels I3, they are mounted von a frame pivoted at -2 I', 2 I This frame is provided with a forwardly extending lever 22 provided with a slot 23 in which is inserted a pin 24 carried at the lower end 3o of the rack bar 25 vertically slidable in the guide 26 on the carriage I0. I The back wheels I3 are'yeldingly urged downwardly by a .tension spring 3 0 between the carriage III and Athe arm l22. This spring will operate,

.therefore, to 'yieldingly hold the nozzle I4 in its lowerm'ost position, The' spring, however, will permit adjustment of the nozzle vertically against its tension.l Such adjustment may be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, the 40 handle I5 in its lowermost position with respect to the carriage has a wheel SII engaging a stop 3|a on the plate 3|, as shown in Fig. 1. If the nozzle- *adjusting means is notlocked, the spring 30 will urge the back wheels I3 downwardly to lower the 45 nozzle and hold the handle I5 in an elevated position. asindicated by |58. It will be possible, therefore, by merely manipulating the handle, to adjust the nomle I4 to any position. For example, the handle maybe 'movedinto the position indi.- 50 cated by solid'lines in Fig. lto hold the nozzle in the position shown by the s'olid lines or it may be depressed further into theposition shown by Il to raise the nomle `to the height indicated by Ib. In, of raising and lowering the handle above,it is to be understood that the handle is not raised and lowered with respect to the carriage I0. but always remains against the stop 3|,

so that manipulating or rocking of the handle up and down serves to rock the carriage and thus vertically adjust the height of the nozzle il.

Means are provided for visually indicating the adjustment of the nozzle. Such means include an indicator 40 traveling over a quadrant dial 4| and operated by a bead chain 4Z having its lower end connected to the frame near the back wheels.

AA spring holds the indicator lll against the tension oi the bead'shown. Asthe nozzle is moved vertically, the indicator 4I travels across the gage 4I to indicate visually the height of the nozzle.

I have explained above how the nozzle may be moved vertically by manipulation of the handle.

It is to be noted, also, that it can be done in other ways. For example, by placing the foot on the carriage" back oi' the front .wheels Il, the same can bedepressed to raise the nozzle to any de- .sired heitht.

i I have explained above how the nozzle can be movedv vertically. I shall now describe means that are provided on the handle tor locking the nozzle in any ofv its adjusted positions. Such locking means, it is to be particularly noted, is not af- Iected by swinging of the handle on its pivot and such swinging of the handle on its. pivot ds not 4aiIect the locking means.

thuslockthenonleinanyotitsadjustedposiupwardly,thenarrowingslotoperatesonaconi`' .calsmraoelltomovethepinllawaytromthe of engagemcnt. Whenthe pivoted handle.

' `Letters Patent, is:

Thisvmakes adjustment of falin'ed with the pivoting axis of the pivoted han- 2,oaa,4ss

.is te lower the plate sz, snowing the pm so to go in and engage the rack bar and thus 'lock the nozzle in any desired position.

It is Yto be noted that the locking member 5i)4 is axiallyalined with the pivoting axis of the The pivotal support of the handle is accomplished by providing the sleeve l0 with its inner end inserted in the hub 1I carried by the plate 3|, the latter being attached to the carriage Il. The lower endv'of the bail 10 A I8 pivots on the outer end oi' this sleeve 10. The

locking member 5l operates inside ot the sleeve 10.

'I'he upper end of the handle I5 is somewhat curved, as indicated by |52 in order to facilitate 15 the twisting thleieoi.I to engage ordisengage the mechanism that locks the nozzle in its adjusted position.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood 20 that it is capable ot ma'ny modications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope o! the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my inten- 25 tion to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior What I claim as new, and desire to secure by I l. .A suction cleaner, including; a carriage with a nozzle vertically Aadjustable with respect to the surface being cleaned; a pivoted handle; nozzleadjusting means on the carriage including a verticallyA adjustable wheel; a vertically slidable member on the carriage operated by vertical adjustment of said wheel; and means for locking said slidable member against sliding movement said means 'including a locking member axially 40 die and means on the handle for retracting said locking member. v

2. A suction cleaner, including;`a carriage with a nomle vertically adjustable with respect to the surface being cleaned; a'plvoted handle; nozzleadjusting-means on the carriage including a vertically adjustable wheel; a vertically' slidable member on the carriage operated by vertical adjustmentK ot said wheel; and means lor locking said slidable member against sliding movement, said means including a locking member axially alined with the pivoting axis oi' the pivoted handie and means on the handle for retracting said locking member, said means being operable by twistingvo! the handle.

3. A suction cleaner, including; a carriage; a nozzle vertically adjustable with respect to thesurtacebeingcleaned;meansonthecarriage` l for locking the'nossle in its adjusted position; A

Aand means'on the handle for actuating the lock- 5.

4.' A suction chamber, including; a nozzle veradjustable with respect to the surface be- 1lng cleaned; a handle; a connection between the 65 nozzle, and handle for adjusting the nozzle by manipulation of the handle; means for locking the nozzle in its adjusted position; and means on the handle tonactuating the locking means.

5. Auction cleaner, including; a nozzle verticaily adjustable with respectto the surface being cleaned; a handle; a connection between the nozzleandhandletoradjustingthenozzleby' manipulationot the handle; means tor locking *thenoasleinitsadjustedpasitiom andmanually 7 5 tuating the locking means; and a connection between the locking means and the actuating means free from interference by swinging of the handle on its pivot in a vertical plane.

7. A suction cleaner, including; a pivoted handle swingable in a vertical plane; a nozzle vertically adjustable with respect to the surface being cleaned; a connection between the nozzle and handle for adjusting the nozzle by manipulation of the handle; means for locking the nozzle in its adjusted position; means'on the handle for actuating the locking means; and a connection between the locking means and the actuating means free from interference by a swinging of the handle on its pivot in a vertical plane.

8. A suction cleaner, including; a nozzle vertically adjustable with respect to the surface being cleaned; means for yieldingly holding the nozzle at one limit of its vertical adjustment; means for locking the nozzle in its adjusted position; and means on the handle for actuating the locking means.

9. A suction cleaner, including; a pivoted handle; a nozzle vertically adjustable with respect to the surface being cleaned; means for yieldingly holding the nozzle at one limit of its vertical adjustment; means for locking the nozzle in its adjusted position; means on the handle for actuating the locking means; and a connection between the locking means and the actuating means free from interference by swinging of the handle on its pivot. l

10. A lsuction cleaner, including; a carriage with a nozzle vertically adjustable with respect to the surface being cleaned; a handle; .nozzle adjusting means on the carriage including a vertically adjustable wheel; means on the carriage for locking the wheel in its adjusted position; and means on the handle for actuating the locking means.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, with` means for yieldingly'urging the wheel to one end of its vertical adjustment.

12. A suction cleaner, including; a carriage with a nozzle vertically .adjustable with respect to the surface being cleaned; a pivoted handle; nozzle adjusting meanson the carriage includingA a vertically adjustable wheel; a vertically s'lid- 5 able member on the carriage operated by vertical adjustment of said wheel; and means for locking said slidable member against 'sliding movement, said means including a locking member axially aligned with the pivoting axis of the 10 pivoted handle and means on the handle for actuating the locking means, whereby actuation of said locking member will be free from interference vby swinging of the handle on its pivot.

13. A suction cleaner, including; a carriage 15 with a nozzle vertically adjustable with respect to the surface being cleaned; a pivoted handle; nozzle adjusting means' on the carriage including a verticallyl adjustable wheel; a vertically slidable member on the carriage operated by ver- 20 tical adjustment of said. wheel; and means for locking said slidable member against sliding movement, said means including a locking member and means for retracting said locking member, said locking member being axially aligned 25 with the pivoting axis of the pivoted handle, and means on the handle for actuating the locking means, whereby actuation of said locking member will be free from interferenceV by swinging of the handle on its pivot.' y f 14. A suction cleaner, including; a carriage with a nozzle vertically adjustablel with respect to the surface being cleaned; a pivoted handle; nozzle adjusting means on the carriage including a vertically adjustable wheel; 4a vertically slid- 35 able member on the carriage operated by vertical adjustment of said Wheel; a locking member adapted for locking engagement with the vertically slidable member, saidlocking member being axially aligned with the pivotal axis vof the 40 handle, whereby said locking member will be free from interference by swinging of the handle on its pivot; a frustro-conical head on said locking member; a slidable plate on the handle with a tapered slot, having its edges in engagement with the frustro-conical surface of said head, whereby said locking member may be retracted by sliding movement of said plate; and means on the handle for sliding said plate.

JOSEPH A. SCHWARZ. 

